Dark Souls 2 Lore - The Story

[@ausaevus]

Finally someone who doesn't automatically assume that Drangleic is Lordran but actually looks at the ingame story. Well done. I like this lore video best so far.

[@ausaevus]

***** Then you haven't looked around at all. Everyone everywhere is saying it. On every single board that discusses the lore I can find. Why don't you type in 'Drangleic is Lordran' in Google and see how poorly you've been looking.

[@ott1186]

Zevvion Key word, automatically. People give good reasons. Personally I think so much time has passed that tectonic plates might have moved, so who knows.

[@HunterTheSalmon]

***** The Devs said that although DS 1 and DS 2 are on the same world, they do not share any geographical locations

[@ott1186]

Doc Lovac I think what they said was 'A different place.' Which is open to interpretation knowing them. Unless there is another statement? I think there is definitely a conscious effort on their part to confuse us and cause debate. Turn people into babbling hollows saying 'Where am I? Lordran, Drangleic?' And forgetting why they came here in the first place.

[@HunterTheSalmon]

+Otis Miller I dont have the quote but it was something like "If Lordran is the North Pole, Dark souls 2 would be set in the South pole" Im less inclined to believe they will spread misinformation about their game.

[@St-Elsewhere]

Before watching this video, I didn't have a single clue as to what was happening with the story in this game. It seemed really shallow and that a lot of things just didnt make any sense. I have a lot more respect for the lore of this game now because of you, thanks!

[@JimAndNathDoTheGames]

I was hoping after spoiling so much in the first game that I'd have a pure experience and not wiki anything this time around. Then I beat the game and still had no idea wtf was going on, and here I am lol by the way, funny seeing you here!

[@St-Elsewhere]

***** Yeah, Im here via DkS2 reddit haha. Didn't expect to find you guys here. Is this Jam or Naff that I'm speaking to?

[@LuciferMorningStar-xf5lo]

@@St-Elsewhere nice

[@swagmasta6928]

I watched almost every video from vaativyda and terramantis but that was the BEST lore video I've ever seen! Great Job!

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you so much, I'm really glad you enjoyed! I hope you like the rest of my content as well - I try to put a lot of effort into every video I produce.

[@Prince_Sharming]

The whole "unnamed hero" who defeated the giants thing reminds me of how the legend of artorias was merely a fable and it was the chosen undead who saved oolacile

[@TJD005]

The developers stated that the name of the location gives great detail to the story. "Lord"ran was a reference to the 4 Lords. "Dra"ngleic is a reference to dragons. I believe Vendrick and Aldia figured out how to overcome the curse, which was by transcending human form. Vendrick and Aldia separated because Vendrick disagreed with Aldia's methods. Aldia discovered how to turn a human into a dragon by using live subjects for his experiments, and that is why abominations are found within Aldia's Keep. Aldia saw Dragons as the solution because they transcend the life/death cycle. Aldia's Keep is filled with "Dragon Priests" that conduct these experiments. This explains why Aldia's Keep suddenly leads to Dragon's Aerie, and then to Dragon Shrine. At the end Shanalotte stated that she was a failed experiment created by those who sought to deceive fate. This is because she had retained a human form. Shanalotte then tells you she was born of dragons, contrived by men. Implying that the dragons you see aren't true dragons, but were likely once human. This explains why the Ancient Dragon gives you a Giant's Soul. During the opening cinamatic the retired Firekeeper says that a great king built a great kingdom. When she states this it reveals the Dragon Shrine, not Castle Drangleic. To me this is proof that the true kingdom of Drangleic was located where the present day Dragon Shrine is. The dragons you see are the inhabitants of the once great kingdom that are now free from the curse. The Drakekeepers and Dragon Covenant members inside the shrine are its enforcers whom revere those who have ascended. Castle Drangleic past Shaded Woods was constructed through the use of the golem technology that the seduced Vendrick had stole from the Giants to please Nashandra. In doing so caused a war and the undead curse was allowed to spread. Shanalotte believed that this was fate a work, since humans sought to defy the inevitable just like Gwyn.

[@kastillopan]

Wow

[@DamienB2005]

How long did it take for you to write that?

[@BaggyMcPiper]

The theme of Dark Souls 1 was of death. I would argue that the primary theme of Dark Souls 2 is that of rebirth, of reincarnation.

[@DaveControlLive]

I think of the theme of Dark Souls 1 as humanity and what does it mean to be human. (Personally).

[@LennardPetrell]

DaveControlLive aint that what developers say that dark souls 1 is about humanity and 2 is about the curse.

[@hapmaplapflapgap]

DS 2 is about the curse of sin. All the souls have sinned and are cursed for/to repeat their mistakes. And conversely, many sin to stave off the curse.

[@FrostedSapling]

I was wondering why King Vendrick left his soul in the shrine of Amana, and now I think it's highly possible that it was to lock it away from Nashandra. This would be a good explanation if she couldn't go there without being affected by the Milfanito's and as a double barrier to protect it you need to be human to open the door, so this would also guard against Nashandra. Another theory I have that I think is less likely is that, on his way to the Undead Crypt Vendrick chose to leave his soul in the Shrine of Amana simply because he wanted to be sung to for the rest of his undead life, that it made the curse more bearable

[@LennardPetrell]

what about vendrick being size of the giant in the crypt but where he left his soul there were a regular human size chair and the armor nicely tucked in the chest but in the crypt the armor was just mess of a pile.

[@VultureXV]

Hooray! I beat it! Now I can look stuff up.

[@MarzioMasini]

Same here! Had this in "Watch later" for a month!

[@HomicidalTh0r]

Why the hell doesn't this have more views? There's like 4 lore videos out right now. I'd be ransacking the shit out of this. Especially when considering the quality, depth, and accuracy. Good Job Dave. Very good job. :)

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you so much! :) Honestly, this has far more views than I was expecting in a day!

[@HomicidalTh0r]

Moar! You must have MOAR!

[@jakewolf079]

this is even better than all of the Vaati's content so far your content is so underrated big thumps up

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you so much! Honestly, I'm just glad my videos get views at all. :)

[@DoktorSo]

Man I gotta admit... I didn't get any of Dark Soul's story while playing it. But with you deciphering all those item descriütions etc: this is a really good story! Thanks for clearing things up!

[@YamiTamashi]

This is great!

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you so much! :D I'm really glad you enjoyed!

[@FearRyuujin]

I agree. Excellent work. Help put some pieces to story I didn't quite understand together.

[@BrendanCS]

The dark souls series easily has one of the best and deepest stories in any game of even book. And the beauty isnt necessarily in the story its self but how it is told. Great video, great explanation

[@grimmontha8023]

Chingalling you should read LotR... now that story is deep

[@_blank_9712]

***** You don't reallly HAVE to read the LotR series as Token set the blueprints for how ALL RPG's and their like originated from. D&D, Elder Scrolls, Baldurs Gate, Golden Axe, etc. Many things vary themselves from the LotR series, but in simpliest views contain most anything found with the series. + Chingalling was expressing his favor of the story because of how it is delivered. Not necessarilly how it was written.

[@lightningandodinify]

***** DnD was the first modern RPG. It borrowed certain elements (hobbits, and orcs) from LotR, but just about everything else was either taken from Germanic mythology, old literature, or invented by them (level ups, stat points, mindflayers, beholders, etc. were all their own inventions)

[@Nyarlah]

A lot of theories are thrown around, but I think you have the best version yet, supported by a really convincing chain of item descriptions. Thanks for the great video !

[@SpunckyJew6969]

"warning SPOILERS OUT THE ASS" **starts with ending cut scene** that was quick

[@Sirazaris]

Videos like this one just make Dark Souls best game ever made, many speculations and a mysterious lore, this video makes so much sense to me, but there so many other secrets I'd love to know about.

[@Retroage1986]

Damn that cleared up a lot of stuff I was wondering about, good stuff man!

[@ConnorHiggins]

This is a fantastic start to the lore discussion of DSII. Great work Dave, I thoroughly enjoy your uploads.

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you so much! I'm just glad to have kicked it off strong, I hope my videos continue to be enjoyable, and hope this helps people bring new discoveries to the table!

[@SteveChopz]

WOWeeee...every time I watch one of your lore videos, it blows my mind. The thing with the four great souls that these are actually reincarnations of Gwyn, The witch, Seath and Nito really surprised me. But now it makes sense. There is also an interesting thing about the lost sinner, which could be connected to the Witch of Izalith. If you defeat the Belfry Gargoyles first you get a key that allows you to open the two doors on the sides of the sinners foggate. Lighting the oil in theses rooms will activate torches in the bosschamber, which makes the sinner a lot slower. It could be that the sinner actually fears fire, being that she also destryoes the torches besides her before the fight starts. Maybe the soul of the reincarnated witch still remembers the past, her experiments, her failing and her loss of her family, responding in a terrible fear against fire now.

[@fhjfhdgh]

wow, incredible how much information you pull out of the game, i'm so grateful that there are people like you. without videos like this i would have never been able to acquire so much lore information and also linking everything together like you did here! very nice video :)

[@arbiterally101]

I think, and this seems to be a rather common problem that people are finding, that the fanbase had one expectation of the story, and did not get what they were looking for. To that I say, you can't blame the game for your expectations. It wouldn't be a Souls game to not have a dystopian setting, and a horrendous challenge to take on. So it would be less than ideal for the gameplay to take place linear to the original Dark Souls. Furthermore, we have to remember that the things we saw in the original and in this game are not 100% accurate to our understanding. In fact, it'd be more truthful to say that the truth of history is that nothing is not eroded by time. The stories of the original Dark Souls have shifted, as our understanding has. Remember that none of the speakers in the original game were truly reliable as narrators, completely coloured by their own perspectives and ambitions. The hints of history we find aren't just easter eggs, but rather a distorted understanding of what may have been, lost to time as all things are. As well, this story places more importance on the player rather than the world around him. In the original, we spent all this time learning of the great deeds of everyone else, but had no real identity as the player, (unless one understands what happened in Oolacile.), in this one, the player IS relatively important, having very likely been involved in the war with the giants prior to the game's taking place. If anything, this game builds off of what already occurred, and spins the same traits as the original, if you've the eye to spot the details, as Dave did. As far as the game goes, I have no idea why people bash it as hard as they do. I thought it was a good successor title and captured the essence of the Souls series. The lore was in keeping with traits they set up early, and maintained them throughout.

[@Vosra]

Well, that certainly makes things a lot clearer. Great vid!

[@mafaju9818]

The Dark Souls universe must have the most intressting lore.

[@ilovegamergrillsnotgirls934]

naw the Minecraft lore is super deep and dark but yet gives hope to its dark world.

[@OnryoKami]

lol you're funny.

[@OnryoKami]

yeah most lore can't really beat the souls lores.

[@Changetheling]

Sorry, that place goes to Vagrant Story, the very first idea of Dark Souls game. The fact a story is scattered and put into different items for purposefully plot-obscuring purposes is testament of this. Besides, don't fool yourself. The lore seems deep because your brain fills in the untold/ambiguous blanks. Unlike Vagrant Story, Final Fantasy XII and other Matsuno's games which are truly elaborate worlds, the best of all being The former.

[@borys0917]

Don't forget about Bloodborne lore

[@zerfyx]

Never thought i'd sit through a 20+ min Dark souls lore vid that wasn't from Vaati... Props to you, and a sub. Looking forward to more vids.

[@junker154]

On the topic of the Milfanito and the little onces that dance. Actually if the Milfanto are singing, the small glowing flies will appear over the water creatures. If they stop to sing, they will fly away. So the flies are referenced by the little ones that dance? Also I noticed that lighting a torch in that area usually aggros those water creatures, perhaps they are attracted to light and those glowing flies keep them distracted? Also the glowing flies can be seen in the intro.

[@DaveControlLive]

I assumed the glowing flies in the intro were the flame butterflies (that you pick up), but they could be those tiny flies. They seem pretty relaxed to me (as opposed to aggravated) from the flies. I think it serenades them, in a way.

[@darkdivergrandahl4913]

DaveControlLive i believe the flies lit up the torches in the intro cutscene. Sounds like flame butterflies to me.

[@GoutAttack1118]

WOW Great job. Things make a lot more sense now. I like how you have to collect all of the weapons you get from the bosses of NG+ to understand the full story and connection to DS1.

[@DaveControlLive]

Glad you enjoyed! :)

[@SpanishBroomaker]

Very good compilation, I enjoyed watching it!

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you!

[@mrthereddragon7622]

Amazing job Dave, you cleared up a lot of things for me, thanks a lot! I liked to think the ultimate goal of the protagonist, the player character, was to undo the curse of the undead, first just selfishly, then for the whole of Drangleic. With Nashandra being so associated with the curse, using it as her tool of manipulation and as a deadly weapon in battle, it would be nice if killing her meant bringing and end to the curse and curing all of the afflicted, including you. Makes a nice narrative arc with a happy ending, but we all know Dark Souls will never be that merciful. 9:25 Love that flash-cutting!

[@DaveControlLive]

Yeah, no happiness allowed in this universe! Also - glad you enjoyed that cut. I like doing things like that when it's applicable. (I had fun with it in my Gwyndolin lore video).

[@suli568]

I felt like a badass when my character sat on the Throne while wearing the Faraam set.

[@samstedman6627]

Really outstanding video. Your scrutinization of the game material and thoughtful analysis is really appreciated!

[@mustafak1222]

I really appreciate you not using a “cool” voice like the other channels do. I really like this conservational style rather than the forced performative voice

[@thedragonborn101]

Wonderful video, man. You really helped clear up the story some. I thought this one didn't have that deep of a story compared to the first but you proved me wrong. Thank you for that!

[@DaveControlLive]

No problem, just glad you enjoyed! :)

[@TheDrunkardHu]

SOLID interpretation! she says "be one with the dark", essentially, "i'm going to consume your soul now!" so cool.

[@michaelrussell7806]

excellent work! dark souls is subtle, and your videos have taught me to really pay attention to the descriptions of ALL the items. Only giving a few lines of information through the items is interesting way to bring the player into the world, and I can't think of any other game that does that...but the way all of these items and histories mesh mean the dev's really took their time to create a world.

[@ImtihanAhmed]

ok this. this blew my mind.

[@TheDanBlanchet]

Man I've been playing Dark Souls 2 since release and only now since I've watched this that I understand the story. I've enjoyed your Aldia speculations even if this video was obviously released before SOTFS, you're still pretty much spot on. Great work.

[@MrBlvdman]

I'm surprised no one mentioned 19:48 "The Milf" lmao. Made my day.

[@gaminhard6923]

Awesome. Very thorough. I mistakenly did not return to Nashandra throughout the later half of the game. After killing the two Dragonriders, I simply moved on to the Undead Crypt and after getting the King's Ring, I advanced to Aldia and the Dragon Aerie. Then I went back and completed the giant's memories after receiving the Ashen Mist Heart. By the time I returned to Drangleic Castle, Nashandra was gone from her throne. Because I had missed out on some conversations with her I actually thought the Throne Defender and the Throne Watcher were guarding her instead of guarding the throne FROM her.

[@jamesloucks2562]

Man why did people give this games Lore and Story so much shit? its all fucking COOL.

[@lightningandodinify]

James Loucks Its great. It just doesn't compare to the first game's

[@jamesloucks2562]

I think it does just fine, its just a different focus. more about you as DS1 was about the world around you.

[@lightningandodinify]

I just hope the next game talks more about the dark soul. It's my favourite part of the lore. Btw, I just started playing scholar of the first sin. My god it's hard.

[@jamesloucks2562]

Caius Nair DS2 gave us a real pounding, the thought of even harder challenges makes me....Hard :} ILL BE HERE ALL NIGHT LADIES AND GENTLEMAN !

[@unsubme2157]

+James Loucks for the pwople who played exessive ammounts of dks1 since release it was a letdown. it was too distant imo. dks1 has nothing to do with dks1 except the morals and the 4 lord souls.

[@edch7516]

to me you make the best soulsborne lore videos

[@ReyaitheShadowWolf]

Wow! You know, at first, I could have brushed Nashandra off as just a disappointing final boss. But now, I find her to be a truly awesome villain!

[@Calyx]

This is actually far more then my initial thoughts about what happened in Dark Souls 2. I learned alot, thanks for this!

[@boogieman616]

I have a theory how Drangleic can be Lordran. Remember, in the first game the whole world was build on the trees we could see in Ashlake. Maybe they crumbled and the whole world felt down and the ocean you can see from Majula is the Ashlake. So thats why, for examble Heide "Anor Londo" is lying in the water. So a Drangleic was built on the ruins of Lordran or the many Kingdoms after DaS 1.

[@DaveControlLive]

Oh, that's actually a really interesting thought!

[@OktoberStorm]

Damn dude, you have some good sense of drama. Thanks for making this series.

[@DaveControlLive]

Thank you so much, glad you're enjoying!

[@lennic]

cool, for the first time I feel like I figured out the lore myself, dark souls 1 I was like hurrr what the hell... but during this video I had many deja vu's in my mind because I already thought of alot in this video... In dks1 tho I wasnt reading like every item description in the game, good video! Will clear up alot for lots of people as a quick summary

[@Retrostint]

I'm starting to think that the curse is not the hollowing of many people, but the cycle of repeating the same mistakes the Lords made before them

[@DaveControlLive]

It does seem that the "curse" in this game is the cycle - as Straid hints at in one of his dialogues.

[@MrManPants]

My biggest pet peeve about all of this is the simple fact that in Dark Souls 1, there were two beings that inherited a Lord Soul and gained power because of it. The first being Seath, one who is clearly given a nod with the Old Paledrake Soul. The other being the Four Kings. Now you say that the Old King Soul is that of Gwyn, while this may be true in the sense that the Four Kings inherited it from him, I say you can't ignore that parallels that lie between the Four Kings and the Old Iron King. I mean, New Londo, upon it's imminent destruction was flooded with water to contain the evil within. It appears the Old Iron King has also had his city, the Iron Keep, flooded with lava. Maybe it's just me, but that is what I got from the Old "King" Soul. They say many things have been lost to time since the events of Dark Souls 1. Maybe so that they mistook 4 kings for one?

[@CurrehMoFo]

The 4 Kings were just given a part of Gwyn's Lord Soul, not the whole soul itself. The four old souls do not include the 4 Kings soul, as that is just a part of Gwyn's. The Iron King didn't flood the keep with Lava, that was because of the Smelter demon.

[@NosajDurmit]

CurrehMoFo Hes saying that Seathe wasn't given an entire lord soul either but still is reborn in this game unlike the four kings.

[@Petter1900]

Actually, There are several sources saying that the Iron Keep was literally so heavy that it sank deep into the earth. The Old King is clearly Gwyn reborn, "being flooded in liquids" isn't enough to drop all the things pointing to Gwyn and going with that story.

[@Mister_Taxman]

The 4 Kings' soul was only relevant in Dark Souls 1 because part of it was from Gwyn. Seathe's soul was already powerful way before he took a part of the Lord Soul because he was already an Ancient Dragon. I can understand that people want to find a parallel connection with the Old Iron King and the 4 Kings but almost every evidence in the game (Shalquoir, Weapon Description, Miracle Description) points to the Old King's Soul as that of Gwyn's.

[@HypersleepGaming]

Gwyn give fragments of his soul to heaps of people, not just Seath and Four Kings. He gave it to his Uncle, Allfather Lloyd, he gave some to his whole family really, that's why they are gods. Because of their souls that were given to them via Gwyns kindness.

[@iandavies638]

Really enjoyed the video, it's fascinating how you've pieced all of that together. Thanks.

[@DaveControlLive]

Glad to hear you enjoyed!

[@jackwarren4232]

great video dave

[@OnryoKami]

I spent 1000+ hours just listening to Dark Souls lores. I'm still listening too them almost daily. xD

[@CasuallyFreaky930]

I've noticed practically identical similarities between the Last Giant, and the Giant Lord. Both are identical physically, and both even contain the same sound files such as the grunting and when they swing off an attack. Perhaps, they are both certainly the same deity. I have a theory for this. Maybe we didn't truly defeat the Giant Lord. As stated in-game, the Giants have a will that cannot be matched. - Perhaps the Giant Lord somehow survived our onslaught and continued on after we returned to our time. Sadly, it was only to be entrapped by remaining soldiers. (Notice the shackles on the Last Giant and multiple man-made weapons shot through it's back.) - Due to it's broken dignity, it did not have the strength to fight back and was imprisoned. It continued to lie there, waiting for it's inevitable destruction. It's will finally broken, knowing it was the last of it's kind. There, it stayed until we come along years later. - As we strolled in, the weakened Giant looks and notices us. It remembers us. The one who denied it victory and defeated it decades ago. Indirectly causing the extinction of it's kind. This explains the sudden rage the Last Giant sprouts out. Springing from the debris that had covered it for years, and charging us. Hell, it even ripped it's own arm off in an attempt to kill us. The thing was pissed off due to our presence, that much is clear. - Granted, there are issues with the theory such as "How can it survive without it's soul", etc. Just a theory, though. :)

[@DeaThreeper5]

I'm glad people like you make these videos because I am too dumb to pay attention to the story I actually had no idea what was going on while playing through the game

[@raulvito6246]

Great video as always Dave, some really interesting stuff! To me the whole cycle of death & rebirth is embodied by the undead curse; the curse starts appearing as a sort of recycling mechanism which signals the decline of a particular age of fire. This is not the "end of the world" but the end of a particular age and instinctively some of the more powerful figures in that age will try to stop it by persecuting the undead in a futile attempt to somehow preserve "their" age of fire. Some have speculated that perhaps Vendrick was "chosen" undead but we know he somehow aquired the curse after but to me there has never been a chosen undead; the logic of the curse creates a chosen undead by itself, undead absorb souls from other undead and also living things, and the more they absorb the stronger their own soul becomes. Most undead lose faith and hollow out, which makes them prey to stronger undead who hunt for even stronger souls until the remaining undead with the will and determination to destroy the most powerful creatures and undead will have the greatest soul which will then be used as fuel for kindling the first flame and starting the cycle anew. If you take a look at the old knight greatshield it has the face of the aztec calendar sun; that calendar represents the very concept of the Souls series; and endless cycle of death and rebirth where each new world is defined by a new "sun" which signals the start of a new era when it raises and the ending of when it sets. Also, note how you made the connection about Gywn and Nito beign somehow on opposites sides of the spectrum on your DS lore but here it is quite clear; the witch (life) and Nito (death) are their opposite while Light always had its opposite in Dark. Although other creatures have affinity for Dark humans are by far the most likely to be seduced by it.... And lastly I think the throne of want...hell for all we know the land across the sea could have been Boletaria and the giants are the evolution of the old one from Demons Souls

[@DaveControlLive]

I completely agree with you about "the chosen undead". I think it's just the last standing undead who withstands hollowing, and can eventually absorb enough souls that he serves as the perfect kindling/fuel for the flame.

[@nono-ol6fh]

Sir, I am seriously impressed! Flawless quality with deep thought and expressed perfectly clear! :) I've been waiting for ENB or Vaati to deal with the entire lore points, but instead I found you... And my god am I glad I did! :D Thankyou, so much! Subbed ;)

[@thormolecules6814]

Commenting to say I'm currently playing bloodborne and I can't waittttt for dark souls 3

[@DaveControlLive]

+Thor Molecules Me tooooo

[@SpookyMarine]

Thor Molecules I'm still pissed off that Bloodborne was not released for Xbox.

[@A_Koenig]

This is just fantastic! I agree with pretty much everything you deduced and I think this video will help a lot of cursed souls to better understand the unsettling experience that is Dark Souls 2! Also, now I feel kind of proud that I was able to draw most of the conclusions of this story by myself...

[@DaveControlLive]

Congrats! I'm sure there is still plenty left to discover as well!

[@Ellimation360]

I'm really bummed that there's no option in regards to endings like the other souls games. I mean, in the end the fire keeper says that it's your choice to renounce or embrace the throne of want, yet you have no choice of the outcome.

[@replicantMK2]

this can possibly mean that there will be a next dark souls game more closely linked to the DS2... maybe thats why

[@replicantMK2]

maybe in the next game you actually play with the role of (king) and find a way to rid the curse or atleast try to like all the other fallen kingdoms have

[@Ellimation360]

Yeah, I was thinking that your comments were a possibility, but that's what I'd expect a company like Bethesda / Zenimax to do. I personally feel that it's beneath them to do something like this, purposefully leaving the ending without choice for the purpose of possible sequels. Honestly, they should probably craft a new universe in my opinion, and create a new lore, rather than becoming mired in the nostalgia of the previous game, and sharing bosses because they were "cool".

[@replicantMK2]

aslong as the gameplay idea is the same :P

[@Ellimation360]

I have no problems with that, just with magic balancing really.

[@RylxReaper]

Too much mind blown for one day, Wow man such great lore explanations that make sense to me being a frequent souls player awesome work :D

[@eventhorizon2348]

SPOILER drangleic is indeed lordran. The absolute proof without any question is found in the lingering dragoncrest ring. It says: A ring used long, long ago in a land that existed where drangleic does now. As we all know you could buy the lingering dragoncrest ring at firelink shrine. In dark souls 2 you buy the ring from straid. I'm not sure if anyone has mentioned this in a video yet. I've heard of people talking about straid giving hints but I don't believe anyone has mentioned this ring yet.

[@CornadaTV]

That ring comes from Vinheim though.

[@eventhorizon2348]

True but it says a ring that was used. The ring was used by the player in dark souls 1 in lordran. Drangleic is lordran.

[@eventhorizon2348]

Go watch a video called dark souls ll: is drangleic built on venheim? It's by pariahdigmshift. It's an incredibly good video that proves my point. Besides you obviously haven't been paying too much attention to the game. It gives you a ton of hints that your standing where lordran once was. Yet it doesn't give a single bit of lore saying otherwise. He even explains how your not in venheim.

[@theheartsstory]

Justin Mullins While I do agree that Lordran and Drangleic are the same landmass, I don't think that particular ring is the best spot of evidence to prove it. I think the fact that Shalquor (or however its spelled lol) calls the "Lost Sinner" a fool for "trying to relight the First Flame" is more of a solid nod than that ring's description. That's just how I feel though, since the land that ring refers to isn't described whatsoever in the ring's description.

[@TheDerek14]

***** The biggest piece of evidence that could prove that Drangleic is where Lordran once reside is that of where you fight the dukes Dear Frejia, Ornifex, and Tark. Its clear that The Dukes Dear Frejia holds Seath's soul. Because of the paledrake soul and the fact of a fossilized dragon's mouth hovering over to where you actually pick up the great soul. And with Tark and Ornifex they both discussed that the creator of Tark had lived where Brightstone cove is today. And they discussed the creator of Tark to be someone who yearned for something he did not possess that others did possess and it eventually drove him mad. Ornifex goes even deeper and discusses Seath even more and tells that the creator had lived where brightstone cove was. And it is highly probable that the buildings you encounter are that of the ruins of the duke's archives. Because the lore of that area is that the duke ordered people to mine in that area and that one day they unleashed spiders from the earth from where they mined. And the fact that you encounter a library area after defeating Frejia. The whole premise of how these souls came to existence again is that of mining leading to the discovery of those souls. Im sure that Drangleic is many generations after Lordran, and that the remnants of lordran had been taken by nature and either buried by the earth or it was consumed by the ocean. Their is so much information that supports that Drangleic is where Lordran once was. And what do you mean Nashandra came from the giants to warn Vendrick?

[@sambeazy4770]

great video man, i didn't notice quite a few things you pointed out myself

[@Voitan]

Your speculation about the Ancient Dragon being Aldia might be true, since that Dragon did make Shanalotte, a feat Aldia is capable of.

[@pyromaniac407]

Also it seems like there's two beings in that Dragon as it refers to itself as "we"

[@Voitan]

Aldia + Giant soul.

[@yiyifolkspena2967]

i think than aldia split in tow the ancient dragon and naavlan, aldia is the vessel of naavlan

[@ClassMRule]

How come Shanalotte didn't just do everything herself? Fus-Ro-Dah!

[@GlennBattishill]

This is a fantastic video. Nice work

[@MultiBrendonn]

AWWWWW YEAAAAH NEW DCL LORE VIDEO

[@eivindnyhus9181]

I always though Heide's Tower of Flame was an older, broken down Anar Londo. Ornstein being there kinda reassured me on that. Great lore-video to a great game. Just finished the 360 version, and starting on the PC. Having 60fps is amazing!

[@Craft2299]

Ok, something is extremely fishy here with the character you play as. In Dark souls 1, you are foreseen to be the undead to light the flame finaly. In Dark Souls 2, no one foresees this, thru your attempt of getting the lord souls, they know "Oh he is the one". What strikes me in question is the giants memories. If you where there in their memories, that means Your character was there! Remember the line "The giants were eventualy defeated by an unnamed hero" You can get this axe that holds this line before seeping into the memories of someone who saw this taking place. You the character, somehow before you lost your memories, KNEW that the giant king had the kinship to enter and be the next in line for the throne. It was an intention. Which makes me think about the furtive pygmy. The suppoused player. Easily forgetable, only mentioned. How NPC's react to you is also very odd. Characters that arent egotistical almost and with intuition see that you are something of "An odd one". The cat likes your scent, Lucatiel finds you odd/different and friendly, characters are willing to fight for you. Given permision to covenants that otherwise wouldnt give to others. I feel like there is a trait to the furtive pygmy (being the player) If they make the case.

[@Kevin0479]

i guess pygmy will always be the one to reignite the flames since every great souls like the old king has some sort of incarnation so why not pygmy? (the player)

[@whocares001001]

***** that makes the most sense

[@whocares001001]

except it won't explain the decision to link the fire in darks souls if the player is the pygmy

[@Kevin0479]

whocares001001 i think thats the point you never had a real choice to begin with you were destined to sit on the throne and rekindle the fire starting everything over again.

[@ChristopherRoss.]

Craft2299 The thing is that Manus is the Pygmy, and the queen is Manus. The Pygmy is the antagonist of the Souls games, not friendly or likable at all.

[@iandavies638]

Hey, thanks for taking the time to reply to my comment. I really like the way your thoughts plus other commenters piece things together. It gets to me when I read negative comments people leave, everybody should chip in and expand on lore an ideas.

[@DaveControlLive]

Of course! And - I totally agree with you. I actively encourage people to counter my theories and speculations, and come up with their own - or expand on mine. That's why I present the lore the way I do, so it's very clear where I'm getting my information from and when I'm speculating.

[@samsvensson4732]

Anyone else watching this to be up to speed for Dark Souls 3?

[@lightningandodinify]

Sam Svensson Yup. Gotta refresh my memory

[@buttmcgee299]

+Sam Svensson Yep, plus I didn't play DS2 because I heard it wasn't nearly as good as DS1 which is one of my top 5 favorite games ever

[@lightningandodinify]

Butt McGee you heard wrong. The game is better in some ways, worse in others. I highly recommend you get scholar, before judging. As someone, who has played all of the souls games, countless times, I say you wont be disappointed.

[@That_Reikigirl_Sims]

Dark souls 2 is so much better than dark souls. It's also way more depressing.. And stresses you out ughh.. You'll love it.

[@lightningandodinify]

Demetheglass i actually think it missed with the artstyle, certain level designs, weapon names (An ultra greatsword weapon called Greatsword... Seriously?....), confusingly switching the effects of the vigor and vitality stats, and certain bosses. Asides from that, the game is definitely superior

[@mmmthatguy]

Love your lore vids. The detail and clarity displayed in them is great quality. Keep em coming, we'll keep watching

[@MrGeneralHeavy]

i still have some questions, why was vendricks soul on a chair and not with him, why did the next monarch(protagonist) go to drangleic and what are his intentions, how did the great souls get to these guys and what is their story.Probably none of them can really be answered but maybe dlc or stuff will happen

[@Illier1]

The first I can't give an explanation other than illusion. The Choson Undead went their with the belief the souls at Drangleic would save them. And the Powerful Sould most likely just reincarnated into new, more appropriate form after the burning of their souls at the bonfire.

[@DanteReaver]

I have a theory about Vendricks soul. We know that the characters associated with dark (Grandhal and the other hex guy) are for some reason seated in high-back chairs, the same kind in which you find Vendricks soul. So, maybe he succumbed to the dark either by influence of Nashandra. Vendricks body is a shell of his former self therefore his soul will not be with it. We also know that the great souls from the first game were placed in the lordvessel. We can find the same object inside Cale's Manor, however it is shattered, therefore we can assume thats how they escaped and started possessing new bodies.

[@DaveControlLive]

Raul Vito (who frequently comments on my videos) had a great theory regarding number 1. Essentially, the idea that if you separate your soul from your body, it would allow you to survive longer, and perhaps after an age of fire. - As for why the protagonist went to Drangleic - I thin he was basically tricked into linking the fire, as are any number of cursed undead who end up in Drangleic. They're told they can cure their undead curse, so they desperately seek any means to do this, even if it's traveling to a far-off land. (Drangleic). - I'm making new lore videos on the stories of each of these great souls. I believe the souls essentially find new bodies and vessels to inherit, and those people adapt their traits.

[@MrGeneralHeavy]

yeah i think it could be that vendrick hid his soul and stuff (since you can find the kings set there) while his hollow form guarded the kings ring so he could wait for the age of fire to end and when the age of dark began he would get his soul and set from this hidden room, it could also be that nashandra(the queen) tricks undead to link the fire in order to prolong the age of fire and with that prolong vendricks return who figured out what she was doing but wasn't powerful enough to face her maybe, but thats just a thought of mine i am doing this for the first time :P

[@TheYProxy]

CaptainWaffle Or Vendrick hid his soul from Nashandra so she could not use it to take the throne of want for herself. I don't think Nashandra is using the undead to link the fire. It would seem like she lacks the actual soul herself needed to take the throne, being she is just a fragment of Manus. And when the player finally reaches the throne Nashandra is there to take his/her soul(s), so she could herself control the throne. Not really whole lot better theory tho, as I can't figure what Nashandra would do with the throne. It would seem to me that I being of the Dark would want to anything and everything to prevent the linking of the fire. The whole Throne of Want is a big puzzle to me. At least personally having a difficult time figuring out how it ties in with the first flame, curse and all that. It seems the throne is from the land of the giants if not made by them.

[@Infernhell]

Good job, great lore vid! We need MOAR! What about: - The lord vessel? - Where does the throne of want come from and what is it? - Could Aldia be the Lord of Tseldora? - Why does the Giant Lord ( the last giant) hold the kinship? - Golems are created from dragon bones, so they got access to dragons first, then created the golems? (timeline related) - The house in Majula ( Aldia last place? linked to the items in the house and giant books) - Why is Shanalotte younger once we reach Dragon Aerie, she is different ( voice, size, behaviour - back at Majula she seems like a child, moving her legs while sitting on the rock). Thanks :)

[@DaveControlLive]

There were certain ties to Dark Souls 1 (The Lord Vessel) that I wanted to get a better grasp on before talking about - and thought it would fit better into a different video (as this one was already so long). The house in Majula Aldia link is an interesting speculation bit I hadn't heard yet! I'll have to relook into it! I actually plan to do a focused video on Tseldora/Duke's Dear Freja, so I'll be doing a loooot of research into that area. He does seem similar to Aldia in his creating various creatures. - When I first played the game, I thought Manscorpian Tark was a creation of Aldia's, until it turned out to be Tseldora - But, at the moment, I'm leaning on Tseldora being his own person. But, as you pointed out, still a lot of things in the game to piece together! :)

[@riujok]

I think nashandra tried to corrupt vendrick in and attempt to get his ring but he realised in some point, so he run to a place she couldn't reach him with his more trusted man, the mirror knight and velstdat, his right arm acompany him to the end. Maybe vendrick thought that if his soul and his body were divided the corruption would stop spreading, and send his right arm to hide it, but in the proccess, the corruption passed to velstdat,

[@LennardPetrell]

but velstadt and throne guardians were on nashandras side?

[@riujok]

in velstdat soul say he was loyal to the king in life and dead so i don't think he betrayed him. the throne guardians wanted the throne for themselves or planned to fight for it later. but nashandra used them like she tried to manipulate the MC.

[@LennardPetrell]

doenst chance the fact that velstadts soul is corrupted by the dark. maybe velstadt "died" the moment he become corrupted.

[@Kokosnuss]

Thank you very much for this video... man I love this community

[@DaveControlLive]

Glad you enjoyed!

[@panos3320]

Whats your take on the throne of want ? Its implied that it gives to the one sitting one it the power to fulfill his goals, but what does it trully do ? My idea is that its a power that came from the great soul Vendric took from the land of (Dark) giants, who must be something like humanitys peak that came through the Dark (maybe the work of dark wraiths, someone who chose the dark lord ending or one of the fragments of Manus, thus the want in both the throne and Nashandras soul weapons). It is mentioned that a singular rage burns within them, that could mean that the giants have a sort of hive mind that is controled by the dark lord. When Vendrick got the great soul he created the throne of want, and by using his soul as fuell, he controlled the dark soul within humans,just as he controlled the golems, to fight fthe curse by giving back to the weak souls the will (or his will) to go on an move towards a singular goal, the goal he wanted to achieve. to lift this curse. But as he grew weak and Nashandra was preparing to overthrow him and claim his power, he fled in hope the world would not fall to the dark. I got this part about the wills of souls from epic name bros playthrough. I dont know how his full theory will play out but thats how i connect this piece.

[@DaveControlLive]

I suppose I think that all of the "great souls" were separate entities, and who they were was influenced by the great souls they gained - but it didn't take over them, per say? I think of it as influencing their characteristics, but they're their own pwerson, still. I think of it as being different than say - putting your souls into some other creation to control it (how the Golems are controlled). But, I do find that hive mind mentality interesting with the giants, and I completely respect ENBs thoughts. As far as the Throne of Want goes - it seems to be implied that this is somehow where the character makes the decision to Link the Fire or not? Which is a bit of a confusing notion, as they're just put in there, sitting on the throne. But - perhaps the idea is - this is where the first flame exists - and you either light it in there, or can stay within there, locking the souls you've gathered away from others, and preventing others from finding you? It's honestly something I'm still pondering on.

[@10mimu]

The Throne is another form of the First Flame, probably containing its embers.

[@MrNinjaWatcher]

Amazing video! Cleared a lot of things for me about the story :)

[@Sunborne187]

Did Aldia discover the Painted World of Ariamis and Priscilla? May explain a few things

[@cartyparty09]

Magnificently done. Great job

[@slightlytwistedagain]

Hmmm. That Malfanito locked away I'm sure has a bit of a big tie with Demon of Song more than Nashandra. I only saying that because Demon of Song drops the key to the Embedded, the cannibal chained over the door to that Malfanito. BTW I had a thought that the story behind the malfanitos/Demon of Song/Embedded could be heavily based off Greek Mythology. The Sirens were classed as the Muses of the underworld (Amana is next to the undead Crypt), they were also believed to eat humans (Demon of Song, the Embedded) who were companions of Persephone who is the goddess of death who carries into effect the curses of men upon the souls of the dead (like Nashandra). Persephone is also associated with spring as well as the fertility of vegetation which kinda fits in to the whole repeat cycle souls will flourish anew, much like the equinox in spring that marks the beginning of the light claiming dominance over the dark.

[@DaveControlLive]

I've been finding, while Dark Souls 1 seemed to mirror Hindu Mythology in a lot of ways, I feel like Dark Souls 2 mirrors Greek Mythology in a lot of ways.

[@saieshsurujbally6438]

DaveControlLive how does ds1 mirror Hindu mythology? Really interested to hear your views (You are one of the major lore finders. Except. You interact with your fans) [Yes. I am a fan :3 XD]

[@DaveControlLive]

Saiesh Surujbally Well, thank you! :) I actually have to give props to MSPainting for pointing this out to me in the first place, but: Check out: Ila (Hindu Mythology): "Known for his/her sex changes. Ila is considered the chief progenitor of teh Lunar Dynasty." (Wikipedia) Sound familiar... like a certain Gwyndolin? Also, Manu (Hindu Mythology) as seems very similar to Manus. I believe there are more correlations as well.

[@NosajDurmit]

DaveControlLive To a lesser extent than those other two dieties, the god of death in hindu myth, Yama, is said to have been the first mortal to ever die.

[@Cowboy.J]

DaveControlLive Yeah, I thought that too as I was playing. The Giant War gave me a real Trojan War vibe.

[@Mzzery]

Good job my friend , loved it

[@darkdivergrandahl4913]

In the opening cinematic you jump into a portal that takes you to Lordran in the future?...speculation here, but I believe that scene has great importance. I'd like to see people incorporate that into their theories.

[@DaveControlLive]

I'm very much trying to figure that out right now. (The entire intro cutscene, really).

[@darkdivergrandahl4913]

DaveControlLive Very good my young pilgrim. Very good.

[@mumei31]

Great ! I do like a lot Dark souls story but I still have a lot of difficulties with it since it's not always easy to understand. I'm gratefull to you thank you :D

[@Shorkshire]

Fantastic video! Best lore video to date for DS2, that's for sure. Oh, the word "coalesce" is pronounce "ko-uh-less". Sorry =P

[@DaveControlLive]

It's all good, haha. I actually looked up the pronunciation on multiple words to double-check I was saying them properly... and somehow missed that one. DAMN! :P

[@Shad0wmoses]

DaveControlLive i always have been saying aegis as ay-jus...it sounds so much cooler, but i was wrong the whole time.

[@SashaTai]

Great job man, nice work

[@molt2482]

I want a lore video on the cat. Forgot it's name.

[@TheSillyMuffin]

And people say that the lore is worse than dks 1 all of my lols.

[@pyromaniac407]

I think the issue a lot of people have is not so much that it's bad just that It's a repetition of DS1. I know it's meant to demonstrate the cyclical nature of the world but a lot of these narratives are the same ones in DS1. There are certainly differences and a lot of unique details I was just hoping for something a bit more different lore wise

[@pyromaniac407]

Just feel like it takes a lot away from possible stories concerning the 4 carriers of the Lord Souls

[@TheSillyMuffin]

WiredPyro Well... thats kind of the point right? its dark souls (2) right? so its a sequel, and it tells and continues the world and universe of the dark souls games. And yeah, i understand why people might not like or love it, but imo its amazing, it continues and links a lot of things from dark souls (1). but thats just me.

[@pyromaniac407]

I do like it and I know its a sequel and the continuing is good but I'm not so thrilled about the level of repitition in character stories. Same lord souls are alright but same story along with the souls is a bit much for me

[@TheSillyMuffin]

WiredPyro well imo sequels have to have things that connect things into each other... but i do indeed see why some dont like the repetition.

[@samuhulkko8378]

Dave. You think like no other human being thinks. You. Are.GENIUS! Great video, liked it alot :)

[@tommapar]

I think it's a cool thing to point out: When Vendrick sought a solution to the undead curse through the research that his brother Aldia did, he changed the research's focus, that used to be life itself, and started researching the soul, and thus the golems materialised. He found a way to manipulate souls, and that's why the entrance to his castle can only be opened through the use of souls with the golems in the door; which absorb the souls of the undead royal guardsmen that you kill. This change of focus is due to the possible solution that was provided by Nashandra, that the "only way" to at least postpone the hollowing, is through the seek of greater, stronger souls, and that made him think that, if he peered into the essence of the soul, maybe he could find the answer. Another proof that he managed to somehow manipulate the will of souls, is that Vendrick created the Ruin Sentinels, which, according to their item descriptions, are just armors held together by the power of the soul. Also, I believe that Vendrick did not left the castle on purpose, I believe he was imprisoned in the Undead Crypt by Nashandra in order to make him hollow (maybe because he was close to finding out of Nashandra's true intentions). This is due to the fact that the Soul of Vedstalt is corrupted by the Abyss (Dark) as is Nashandra's Soul, and the Throne Watcher and Defender, that I believe was a final test of sorts for Nashandra to concentrate all the power of those souls in one being and corrupt it. Pretty nice vid, if you ask me! Just finished it and was pretty confused so your video helped me to piece together Dark Souls 1 with 2 a lot better, I hope you can use this perspective of mine, cheers

[@julasav]

Awesome video! I appreciate your work.

[@Daluyah]

I thought this was the real Ornstein. Since Gwyndolin was good with illiusions, maybe they weren't the real ones.

[@elsewhere6388]

Great summary! I just beat the game today, and this walked through the bits I missed.

[@DireWolfSif12349]

love the video

[@Wardo235]

This is awesome! Some really great and plausible theories, well done!

[@arbiterally101]

Can I make one mention amount Nashandra. Anybody else notice that she does a corruption of the "Praise the Sun" gesture, only towards the Dark? good move, devs.

[@Livid72Des]

That is actually interesting yet also kind of funny.

[@MrRabenrecht]

I'm not good with all these lore thingies, but I find your video very informative. In my own playthrough, there was one thing however that really caught my attention, the Milfanitos. While watching the section where you mentioned them, I noticed a few other things. First, you said Nashandra might've locked one away because they were blocking her way. She might've also placed the single curse jar outside the hut where another Milfanito was singing, to see if it affected her. Furthermore, in the shrine you can restore your humanity, so this might've also been a reason for the Milfanitos creation, to slow the curse down.

[@NosajDurmit]

r/DarkSouls2 is in love with you now, Dave.

[@DaveControlLive]

I'm honestly blown away. I was never expecting this sort of response!

[@Pharaohmolo]

Fantastic work, Dave. Thanks for the terrific video.

[@ZombieAron]

It funny how story of king brother is kinda like Seath lol. They both wanted be come something much more and in the end some what got what they wanted. Also they both did horrible experiments

[@mattc16]

Wow, great video. It really opened my eyes to a lot of things that I missed. I've been looking for a video like this and your presentation was perfect. I love how you showed your proof and showed clips within the game and the info on the souls and weapons while you told the story. You have definitely earned my sub =D

[@rakkatytam]

I wonder...does Priscilla fit into this at all? She was an important entity that even the gods feared. Her soul says she was the antithesis to all life. So if the Gods' souls were reincarnated then do you think Priscilla's soul was also reincarnated to try and complete her original purpose of ending them?

[@donedwardcabarrubias5340]

rakkatytam Maybe the emerald herald got her soul. Lol. Shanalotte says she was "born" from "dragons" and priscilla is part dragon . Maybe. Right?

[@12callofdutyman]

+rakkatytam The painted world of Ariamis or whatever is a completely separate dimension whee time passes differently, as the Doll you need to get there says There once was an abomination who had no place in this world. She clutched this doll tightly, and eventually was drawn into a cold and lonely painted world. It's a different world entirely, in niether Lordran nor Drangliec.

[@pedro1vieira]

One detail not mentioned is that Vestald's set hás one of the (if not the most) highest dark deffense in the game, Indicating that Vendrick was actually making things up against Nashandra.

[@sepertarift]

To continue the age of high! Long live DaveControlLive! But I suppose, the real question is, how many bonfires can my bong light before the end of a 22 mins video. Thanks for that, because now I shall find out!

[@Changetheling]

What a nice fella. I shall conduct the same experiment myself right now